Airline on-time performance fell in 2013
Flight punctuality is falling on major US airlines, but so is the number of traveler complaints.
During 2013, 78.3% flights arrived on time under Department of Transportation time-keeping rules, a drop of 3.6% compared to 2012.
The final month of the year proved most painful for air travelers with just 68.9% of flights landing within 14 minutes of the scheduled arrival time in December.
December 2013 was plagued by weather-related cancelations and flight delays at major air hubs.
Chicago was hardest hit on December 8, with nine flights suffering delays of over three hours during heavy snow and freezing temperatures.
The DOT also said the number of complaints dropped by 14.1% last year to 13,168.
Complaints sent to and recorded by the DOT cover flight delays and cancelations, lost baggage, misleading advertising, discrimination and pricing issues.
Southwest Airlines maintained its top ranking for the lowest number of customer complaints despite only 57.7% of flights arriving on time in December.
The carrier came in 12th out of the 16 major US airlines rated on punctuality for the year.
The best performing airline in 2013 was Hawaiian Airlines, keeping its top spot with 92.4% of on-time arrivals, thanks to the moderate Pacific climate it operates in.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026